PupLife Dog Blog

Valentine’s Day is a wonderful time to show your loved one just how much they mean to you. Gifts often include chocolate, and most of us love this delicious holiday treat. However, it is wise to keep in mind that chocolate is toxic to dogs and if ingested, it can be fatal.

An excellent article by our friends at Sojos Dog Food points out why chocolate is indeed toxic for dogs:

“Chocolate contains theobromine, which is a naturally-occurring molecule found in the cocoa beans, coffee, tea, and cola and is related to caffeine. In the medical field it has been used as a drug to treat high blood pressure because of its ability to dilate blood vessels. Because of its diuretic effect, it is also sometimes used in cases where cardiac failure has resulted in an accumulation of body fluid. What makes it poisonous for dogs and not humans is the fact that dogs are unable to metabolize the chemical effectively.”

It is remarkable just how little chocolate a pet needs to ingest before becoming dangerously ill. Two ounces of bakers chocolate can be poisonous to a pet of twenty pounds, and one pound of milk chocolate can be poisonous to a dog weighing twenty pounds. While milk chocolate is twenty times more poisonous to dogs than white chocolate, it is smart to keep all chocolates away from pets.

If your pet has ingested chocolate, please contact your vet immediately. If your dog has ingested large amounts, vomiting may be induced by your vet to help save your pet’s life. When in doubt, always contact your vet to get the best health and safety advice for your dog.

As Spring approaches, please remember to keep chocolate Easter eggs and bunnies away from your dog. Cocoa bean mulch is also becoming quite popular in parts of the U.S. and this can be fatal if ingested. Steer away from this particular style of mulch if you or a neighbor has pets.

Keeping your dog healthy is an important factor in helping your older dog enjoy life in his later years. The Senior Dogs Project offers some helpful guidelines to maintaining a healthy lifestyle for your pet:

• Dogs, like people, need regular exercise. Give your senior dog adequate exercise, but adjust it as your pet’s abilities dictate.• Be informed about the conditions common to older dogs and be alert to any symptoms. Keep your vet informed and discuss available treatment options.• Feed your older dog the best food you can afford; two small meals daily, rather than one large one, is a better option. • Keep your dog’s weight under control. Obesity will create health problems and result in shortening your pet’s life.• Dietary supplements, such as glucosamine/chondroitin, are often helpful in counteracting symptoms of arthritis. Always check with your veterinarian before giving your dog any over-the-counter medication.• Your dog’s dental health is also important to his overall health. Brush teeth daily and have his teeth professionally cleaned when advised by your veterinarian. • Consider having your dog vaccinated only once every three years, as currently advised by the major veterinary associations.• Control fleas and ticks. Keep your dog and his environment scrupulously clean.

Today it’s not uncommon, with the right care, for dogs to live to 14 or 15. Using recognized guidelines to determine when your dog may qualify as a senior will help you to understand changes in behavior and to anticipate any changes in health status. By being informed, you will be better able to identify and approach health problems at an early stage, when they may be more easily treated.

We all agree that pets make great companions. Americans consider their pets an integral part of the family. But, caring for our companion animals is not cheap, and no one wants to scrimp on their loved ones’ health and safety. While routine visits to the vet and preventative medicine are necessary, there are several ways to control costs without sacrificing your pets’ health and well-being.

Specials and ClinicsMany vets offer in-office clinics once or twice a year. Clinics are a great way to save on heartworm testing, vaccinations, dental care and other procedures. Additionally, your vet may offer package plans for puppies and kittens. Finally, ask if your vet offers discounts for seniors (you or your pet!)

Local SheltersMany animal shelters offer low cost spay/neuter and vaccination programs for all community members. Additionally, if you adopt from your local shelter you may also be eligible for discounted medical care through the shelter or participating veterinarians.

National Assistance Programs

Many non-profit groups offer help to individuals and families with animals in need. Organizations like Help-A-Pet serve the elderly and working poor by providing financial assistance for the medical care of pets whose owners are unable to afford the expense. Breed specific organizations including Labrador Life Line helps owners or rescuers of Labrador Retrievers who are in need of financial assistance. Finally, The Helping Pets Fund established by the American Animal Hospital Association offers grants for veterinary care of pets that have been abandoned and those whose owners are experiencing financial hardship.

Payment PlansWhile payment plans won’t necessarily lower your costs, they can help make vet bills more manageable. Ask if your vet offers a low or no-interest payment plan. If you do decide to use a payment plan, make sure you understand all the rules. If you miss a payment, some plans will charge you a higher interest rate or a penalty.

Rainy Day FundSaving for those unexpected expenses is always a good idea. You can never go wrong setting aside a little money whenever you can just in case Fido needs to have a tooth pulled or decides to chase the neighbor’s cat.

Stay InformedIt’s important to know as much as you can about your dog or cat’s health history. If you have a pure bred animal, learn as much as you can about your pet’s lines. Research the breed and understand what health risks may be prominent. If you adopt or rescue an animal, try and get as much detailed information you can from shelter or agency you work with. Keep all of your pets health records in one place so that you can easily reference them if necessary. Finally, there are a number of great reference sources on the internet that address pet health. The American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association offer comprehensive information on pet care and animal health. Please remember, however, this information should not replace a visit to the vet if you believe your dog or cat is ailing.

Don’t leave Fido out of the loop when you’re expecting. Here are some quick and easy tips to help your dog adjust to the newest member of the family.

Habituation
Rather than waiting until baby arrives, get a jump on things and modify your dog’s daily routine now. By implementing a feeding/walking/playtime schedule with your dog, you’ll provide a sense of structure which will come in handy once mom arrives home with baby. Additionally, you can acclimate your dog to what the baby will sound like with recordings including our Sounds of Baby. This CD is a terrific training tool that gradually introduces the sounds your pet will hear from a new baby and her toys.

Introduction
Before baby and Fido meet in person, you can introduce your dog to your little one’s scent. Let your pooch sniff items that the baby has been in contact with: a blanket, a onesie, even a diaper. When mom and baby arrive home, keep Fido on a leash to prevent jumping. Allow your dog to see and sniff the baby and create a positive association for your dog by providing lots of yummy treats for calm, collected behavior.

Family Life
Don’t ban your dog from interacting with the family – including the new baby. It’s important for everyone in the household to coexist peacefully, but supervision and safety are key. Don’t be afraid to use management tools (like a leash, crate and treat toys) to help you navigate through your day and still maintain your sanity! For example, when you put baby down for a nap, give Fido a treat toy in his crate.

With a little preparation, you can create a safe and happy household for your growing family. Woof!

Question: We want to adopt a two year old male dog. The problem is that we don’t know how our nine year old female dog will react to him. Where should they meet, and what can we do to help ensure they get along well? They are both sweet and kind dogs! - Sandy, via email

Answer: It’s understandable to be concerned when bringing a new dog into your household. When I first decided to get a puppy I wasn’t sure how our seven year old dog, Rocky, would react. Rocky was used to being the only dog in the family so bringing in a young pup would be a big change, and he would need to adjust. Today, Rocky is 15 years old and our then puppy, Puffy, just turned 8. Happily, both dogs are inseparable!

It’s important to note that Rocky and Puffy’s friendship did not happen over night. It took time for Rocky to accept another dog in the house, but with proper guidance and supervision, they are now able to live harmoniously. The first thing to take into consideration is the age difference. Your nine year old female won’t have the same energy as a two year old and this might make it difficult for her to keep up. An interesting anecdote in my own situation is that Puffy’s “puppy energy” seemed to revive Rocky much of the time (although not ALL the time!)

To help mitigate potential problems in your situation, I suggest using crates and baby gates to separate each dog. It is important that your older dog has a safe and quiet space she can retreat to for rest and relaxation. A young dog’s limitless energy can sometimes be too much for an older dog, and if she is not allowed a space to “get away” it may lead to friction.

As you know first impressions are important, therefore it is essential for you to create pleasant experience for the first introduction. Here are some guidelines to follow:

1. Have a neutral place as the meeting area.It is beneficial for two unfamiliar dogs to meet in a neutral area such as a park or large field. I prefer tennis courts as they provide a large yet enclosed space for added safety.

2. Do not force dogs to interact, and always give them a “back door”.Allow the dogs to investigate one another naturally and on their own terms. While it’s okay to encourage them with praise and happy talk, do not force them to interact. And, if one or both dogs wants to move away simply let them. A good idea is to drop their leashes (if the dogs are in an enclosed area) so that they don’t feel restrained or feel any pressure from you. If you’re in an open space have the dogs on a long line leash so that they have room to move around.

3. Be aware of body language.It is important that you protect the safety of both dogs. The best way to do this is to be mindful of body language. This can help you predict if something negative is about to happen. Some warning signs include: face-to-face approach, freezing, raised hackles, growling, raised upper lip or a frozen tail.

4. Avoid treats and toys.It is advisable to avoid giving treats or toys to either or both dogs during their first meeting. Because many dogs have resource guarding tendencies avoiding food and treats during the initial meeting is preferred. Ideally, you want to allow both dogs to get as comfortable with one another as possible before testing out things like giving treats, feeding rituals and toys. Once both dogs have met and are ready to go home make sure you have arranged should separate spaces for each dog. This includes things like: different food bowls, separate toys, beds and crates. This will reduce the possibility of either dog feeling as if they have to compete for resources.

When two kind and social dogs meet for the first time in a control setting, things typically go well. Ultimately, you have a better understanding of your older dog and should be able to predict her reaction, or at least intervene if things go poorly. While every dog is an individual and reacts differently; following these guidelines will increase the likelihood of creating a positive experience for both dogs.